Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association previously resisted paying a tax on how many beds they have — also known as a provider assessment. But the money generated from it, combined with a federal match, could help fund Gov. Terry McAuliffe's plan to expand Medicaid. Elsewhere, other Medicaid developments are reported from Utah, Indiana and Kentucky.

The Washington Post:
Va. Hospitals Do About-Face, Giving McAuliffe Medicaid Bargaining Chip
Virginia’s hospitals reversed their position this week on a controversial bed tax, potentially giving Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) a path to the top priority of his administration: Medicaid expansion. Members of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association have traditionally resisted efforts to pay additional fees, but a tax on beds — also known as a provider assessment — would draw down a federal match. (Portnoy, 12/3)

The Richmond Times-Dispatch:
McAuliffe, Hospitals Leave Door Open For Provider Tax To Reap More Medicaid Money
A long-resisted tax on hospitals may be back as a proposed way to reap more federal Medicaid money for health systems and, perhaps, expand health care coverage for uninsured Virginians. Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the state hospital association opened the door Thursday to creating a “provider contribution” that hospitals and health systems would pay to collect additional federal Medicaid money to help pay for uncompensated care and graduate medical education. (Martz, 12/3)

The Associated Press:
Utah Governor Awaiting Lawmakers' Next Steps On Medicaid
Gov. Gary Herbert will not propose another Medicaid plan and instead will wait to see what, if anything, legislators come up with, his office said Thursday. Lawmakers earlier this year rejected two plans backed by the Republican governor. They intend to tackle the issue again in 2016 after debating it for more than three years and failing to agree. (Price, 12/4)

Deseret News:
House Speaker Reveals More Details On Newest Medicaid Expansion Plan
House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper, outlined more details about the newest Medicaid expansion plan being sought by GOP legislators, explaining that it will focus on the "most vulnerable" Utahns and that lawmakers will look to hospitals — and possibly other Utahns — to fund it. Hughes spoke on a panel Thursday at a health care conference .... In response to an audience member who asked if legislators would consider a statewide tax voted on by ballot measure, Hughes said the idea "has not been delved into deeply, but that's a concept that's certainly worth talking about." (Chen, 12/3)

Indianapolis Star:
Pence: U.S. Evaluation Of State’s Alternative Medicaid Plan Is Unfair
Gov. Mike Pence says the Obama administration has chosen a biased source to evaluate the state’s alternative Medicaid program. In a letter sent Thursday to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, Pence asks that the federal review be dropped as the state has contracted with an independent evaluator. ... Indiana is one of a handful of states that received permission to not follow some federal rules when expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Indiana’s permission runs through Jan. 31, 2018. (Groppe, 12/3)

The Associated Press:
Bevin Taps Health Insurance Lawyer To Lead Medicaid Program
Republican Gov.-elect Matt Bevin has chosen a Louisville attorney to lead his efforts to dismantle and replace the health care system put in place by his Democratic predecessor. Vickie Yates Brown Glisson will be the next secretary of the Health and Family Services Cabinet, Bevin announced Thursday. The agency operates the state's Medicaid program, which outgoing Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear greatly expanded under the federal Affordable Care Act. (Beam, 12/3)

In other health law news, Hawaii's troubled exchange is closing and The Washington Post reports on a connection to the Baltimore riots -

The Associated Press:
Hawaii's Troubled Health Exchange Closing Its Doors
The Hawaii Health Connector spent $130 million in federal grant money, but will be closing its doors after failing to achieve financial sustainability. The last day for the state-based health insurance exchange will be Friday, and its customers are re-enrolling on the federal website healthcare.gov. So far, just 4,500 people in Hawaii have signed up on the federal website. Issues with healthcare.gov led to enrollment delays but those problems have improved, said Jeff Kissel, outgoing executive director of the Connector. (Bussewitz, 12/4)

The Washington Post:
What’s The Connection Between The Baltimore Riots And The Affordable Care Act?
December is the month in which many people enrolled in “Obamacare” must reassess and renew their plans. As they do so, it’s a good time to evaluate the politics and economics behind those health-care costs. Hospitals and health care keep cities employed. Take away hospital and medical care jobs, and you are removing one of the engines of economic hope for urban areas. But the need to add jobs is directly at odds with the Affordable Care Act’s commitment to—well, to affordable health care. (Guian McKee, 12/3)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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